Don't look for Redblacks to swing any blockbuster deals on trade 'dudline' day

Yep, nothing. But it’s not like there’s ever much action in the CFL. It’s usually more of a trade dudline.

While the Redblacks did make a deal with the Montreal Alouettes last season — one minute before the 4 p.m. deadline, acquiring national linebacker Chris Ackie in exchange for a second-round pick in this year’s CFL draft (defensive lineman Nate Anderson out of Missouri — not much usually happens.

Asked if the Redblacks might make a deal, GM Marcel Desjardins said: “I’d say it’s pretty remote. It depends. I’m not shopping anybody. The question is, are the calls going to come in? I got a text, but there’s nothing imminent. It’s not like we have a ton of surplus with all the guys we have hurt. We can’t just move somebody because we’re getting something back. We need to make sure we have somebody who can step in and play that spot. That’s where it gets tricky.”

The Als made the other trade-deadline deal a year ago, sending offensive lineman Philip Blake and fullback Patrick Lavoie to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for Canadian receiver Joshua Stanford and a 2020 second-round pick. But right now, the Toronto Argos are the only team officially eliminated with the Redblacks soon to follow, so the pickings are slim. Could Toronto QBs Zach Collaros, or McLeod Bethel-Thompson, or WR Derrel Walker be available? Maybe. But those aren’t usually the kind of players that get dealt. It’s tough to find salary-cap room to bring in a high-priced player.

“A lot of times, it’s more for depth,” said Desjardins. “(Teams) are not looking for an impact guy, the question is will they give up much (to acquire somebody) for a four- six-, seven-game stretch? I think it’s partially due to cap limitations, partially because teams think they’re going to get fleeced if they do something this late, especially from a position of weakness.”

ARNDT GETS THE REPS

Taking all the first-team reps this week should give QB Will Arndt an edge going into Friday’s game in Toronto — with the 3-11 Redblacks taking on the 2-12 Argos, who Tuesday fired GM Jim Popp and replaced him with Michael (Pinball) Clemons. Spending most of this season as the Redblacks’ third-string QB, Arndt, who will be making his first regular-season start, has completed 20-of-36 passes for 185 yards, with two interceptions.

“You know he’s going to be as prepared as anybody,” said Desjardins. “It’s now just a function of translating that to the field in games. Coming in for certain situations in games is a lot different, especially if you’re down by a lot of points, than going into the game and being the starter and having those reps all week. Some of those times he’s played, he’s had no team reps during the practice week. It’ll be a lot different for him. I expect him to execute the game plan efficiently and make some plays for us.”

FREE-AGENCY STRATEGY

In the 2019 CFL free agency period, the Redblacks focused more on bringing in supplementary pieces to their roster, rather than breaking the bank on established star players. That philosophy may have to change before next season.

“Every year you have to adjust what you’re doing — how the season played out, how your roster is looking moving forward, how the long-term injuries play into the next year,” said Desjardins. “That’s all stuff we’ll deal with when the off-season hits.”

Will the team look to hit some home runs in free agency? “We probably will at certain spots,” said Desjardins. “Of the (potential returning) guys we want back, do they want to be back? That will dictate whether or not we have to look for other answers if, for some reason, the guys don’t want to be here.”

Will the Redblacks look at entering the free-agent market with an eye on a potential starting quarterback? “Yeah, for sure,” said Desjardins. “(What we’ve seen from our quarterbacks this season) hasn’t been optimal. But it’s not all on the quarterbacks — the dynamic hasn’t worked.”

SLUMP BUSTERS

In the midst of a seven-game losing streak (11 of their last 12), the Redblacks are looking to get some momentum through their next four games: In Toronto, in Hamilton, back in Toronto, then Nov. 1 at home to Montreal to close out the regular season. Said Desjardins: “We want to see the compete level like we saw in our most recent game. We want to see some of the new guys play and see how they do, it’s all part of the evaluation for next year.” Coach Rick Campbell said: “We’re going to Toronto to win a game, that’s what we’re trying to do. We want to get back in the win column. It’s been too long. We haven’t done enough winning this year and we haven’t done it in awhile. We need to get back on the right side of the scoreboard.”

SECOND AND LONG

Ottawa could go with an all-Canadian look at running back this week. Both Greg Morris and Brendan Gillanders have been getting reps. Asked if the team might sit starter Mossis Madu and go with Morris and Gillanders, Campbell said: “We have to deal with the ratio, we have to see about the health of a few people. It’s definitely an option and we’re giving it a solid look.” … There’s also a chance OL Stephane Nembot starts this week … DB Brandin Dandridge (Missouri Western) could play this week. He’s been with the team for a month and a half … The Redblacks are hopeful to get some of their injured players back in the next couple of weeks. WR Rafael Araujo-Lopes could play this week. Former Carleton Ravens DL Kene Onyeka is also back practising. Other players who could return soon: RB John Crockett, WR DeVonte Dedmon and QB Dominique Davis. And … DB Antoine Pruneau could be in the mix soon. Said Campbell: “Pruneau would have told you he could have played three weeks ago.” … WR Brad Sinopoli had an “off day” at practice, but is expected to play this week.

THE END AROUND

Both Desjardins and Campbell have a year remaining on their contracts … The Redblacks are still ranked ninth in the CFL’s Nissan Titan Power Rankings. Hamilton is ranked No. 1, followed by Saskatchewan, Calgary, Montreal, Winnipeg, B.C., Edmonton, Toronto and Ottawa … Bo Levi Mitchell is the top-ranked quarterback in the Rockstar QB Index. Ranked second is Montreal’s Vernon Adams Jr., followed by Saskatchewan’s Cody Fajardo, B.C.’s Mike Reilly and Hamilton’s Dane Evans. Ottawa’s Dominique Davis is ranked ninth and Jonathon Jennings is 11th.

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